William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet
A discussion of the character of Juliet as a woman/girl of her time
and an analysis of what extent her character changes and develops
throughout the play, and why this is so. How would you act Juliet or
direct the actor playing the part so that these ideas were clear to a
modern day audience?
William Shakespeare wrote and set the play "Romeo and Juliet" in the
fifteenth century, a time where society and families were run very
differently how they are today. In those times, young girls of
Juliet's age (about fourteen) would be married off to men of their
parents choice, usually someone that the family respected and got
along well with. It was quite unheard of for a young girl or boy to
refuse to marry the person of their parents' choice, this would
disgrace the family. Of course, this made young people's choices quite
narrow and for many young girls and boys, they might have felt quite
scared and helpless. Juliet was brought up in a large family, the
Capulets who had a constant history of quarrelling and rioting with
another large family group, the Montagues. In these days, it would be
a disgrace to the family even to be seen talking to a member of the
other family. This is just an example of how trapped you could be,
unable to make decisions even about who you could be friends with.
The first time the audience sees Juliet, she appears very innocent and
obedient, coming to her mother straight away- "Madam, I am here, what
is your will?" Juliet says that she would never do anything against
her parents' wishes-"But no more deep will I indent mine eye than your
consent gives strength to fly". The language she uses shows she really
respects her mother and her ideas e.g. she refers to her mother's idea
of marriage as "an honour". But in a way, Juliet appears like a child,
who has to do what her mother says because she knows that is what is
Although they are the basis of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, these main characters are dull, undynamic, and do not specifically appeal to certain readers. Nurse could be considered as a more interesting character because she brings her wit, drama and insight into the plotline.
In all of the best works of literature, each of a writer's characters has a purpose whether the role is small or big. Even if it goes unnoticed, the small characters usually play a key role to the story's plot development. These minor characters also add depth to the story's world and also help in the development of the major characters' personality. In William Shakespeare's play The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, the minor characters of Friar Lawrence, the Nurse, and Tybalt are in many ways the most pivotal characters to the play's development.
do what they want, nor was she listening to her mother who warned her about what’s best for
wither in their pride/ Ere we may think her ripe to be a bride.” From
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet In act 1 scene 5 Capulet has thrown a party at his house. Romeo and
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. In Shakespeare's plays he very rarely used original ideas. Most of the plays he wrote, such as "Romeo and Juliet," were adapted from other people's stories. Shakespeare used these ideas as basic outlines for his plays.
is once again brought up by Romeo at the end of Act 1, scene 4 when he
two families. It was unjust of him to send Romeo away from Verona as a
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet "Many a morning hath he been there seen /With tears augmenting the
The character in the play, Romeo and Juliet by Shakespeare, that I think has the largest impact on the audience is probably the Friar. Although the Friar might not have that big of a role, he was the one with the plan that got Romeo and Juliet killed. Some people might say that it was Juliet’s fault because she was the one that was so desperate for a plan to get her and Romeo together, the Friar had no choice but to go along. But still, the Friar was the one that came up with a plan. That plan might not have worked for many reasons, but the Friar didn’t think ahead.
William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet I have been studying Romeo and Juliet in class and I have watched a production on television. Shakespeare wrote Romeo and Juliet for an audience used to sixteenth century stage conventions, we must appreciate that these conventions are very different from our own. The Elizabethan theatre was very distinctive, when a play was performed thousands of people would pack inside the theatre, the rich would be able to pay for seats in the stand sheltered from the wind and rain, while the poor had to stand and brave the elements as the theatre had no roof.
forget,' and so we don't expect that by the next act Romeo will be out
The Webster's Dictionary defines "fate" as "Predetermined and inevitable necessity; that power which is thought to determine one's future, success or failure, etc." In William Shakespeare's The Tragedy of Romeo and Juliet, his pair of star-crossed lovers (Juliet and Romeo) are fated to meet, fall in love, and take their lives. But does their predestined demise have an equally as important purpose? And, if so, should the Prince's final edict be carried out, and should any of those involved be punished?
Romeo & Juliet Romeo and Juliet is Shakespeare's most popular play. It is the most retold and reiterated since it deals with everyday aspects of life such as love, tragedy, and in particular, family. The roles of parents and "substitute" parents are important in this play. The biological parents of Romeo and Juliet are supposed to act as role models and guides for their children, but ironically, it is the substitute parents, Friar Laurence and the Nurse, who are only seemingly supportive of Romeo and Juliet. Unfortunately, neither the biological nor substitute parents could prevent the tragic ending.